Days after Sri Lanka's Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon, whose appointment was tainted with controversy, has been forced to step away from performing his duties as the Inspector General of Police, following a Supreme Court decision, Sri Lanka continues to function without a sitting IGP, which according to sources poses a security concern as the country prepares to head to polls in September this year.
Tennakoon was forced to step down temporarily until nine Fundamental Petitions were filed against him and his appointment to the post can be heard. It is learned that the National Police Commission has written to the Attorney General's Department in the absence of an IGP, seeking their advice on making a crucial appointment. Similarly, the Elections Commission has also sought the advice of the President's Secretary that an IGP must be appointed or an acting IGP to coordinate election-related activities.
Speaking in parliament recently, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardana said that Tennakoon deserves to remain in office as there are no legal provisions for President Wickremesinghe to make an acting appointment. He also asked the speaker to intervene to invalidate the order issued by the courts.
Opposition legislator Rauff Hakeem who spoke up in parliament said that various interpretations were being given at different times. He called on the speaker not to be part of it, and lead the country into to a ‘dangerous confrontation’ with the judiciary. Sensing the quagmire this posed, Wickremesinghe has distanced himself from the whole issue, adding that he has been advised by his legal team that appointing an Acting IGP every two weeks could lead to election petitions against him.
